Chapter 98

Hugh lifted his head with a sneer, looking at the group without a clue about the seriousness of the situation.

His arrogance was clear, showing off his sense of superiority at every chance.

"Well, you all show up at my place first thing in the morning. What's this got to do with us? Even regular jobs start at eight, right?"

The cops stood at the factory gate like statues, staring him down.

A weird pressure settled over Hugh.

But he kept up his sarcastic tone, "You guys must have it rough. How much do you make a month? If it's not enough, come work for me. I could use a few security guards."

Zoey was about to step forward, but Alexander quickly held her back.

Alexander stepped up with a slight smile, "We can't compare our paychecks to a big boss like you. We're questioning everyone in Willowbrook Village, and since this is the village chief's house, we had to start here. You get it, right? Plus, we know you have a business to run, so we came early to avoid messing up your day."

Hugh, hearing this, sarcastically praised Alexander for his thoughtfulness. "Not bad, you got potential. If you ever can't hack it in the police force, come work for me."

Alexander smiled, though it seemed fake to others, but Hugh and his mother seemed to like him.

Hugh's mother also smiled and said, "Since the cop said so, you should go early and not delay your work."

Hugh, seeing his mother speak, responded, "Alright, Mom, I got it. I'll go now." He stuffed a large bite of his sandwich into his mouth.

Only Evan was eating, enjoying his meal, shoveling food into his mouth.

Hugh's mother was helping him, and when Evan finished, he yawned and stood up, "Mom, I want to go back to my room and sleep."

"Alright," Hugh's mother agreed.

But the police weren't planning to let Evan go.

People like him were more likely to slip up.

Alexander stepped forward with a smile, "Ma'am, he needs to come too, to help us with our work."

"He needs to go? Why?" Hugh's mother was highly alert, her actions and expressions showing strong disapproval.

It was clear Evan had some intellectual disabilities.

Even though Hugh's mother was from the countryside, she knew that they could get much from a simpleton.

To be safe, she whispered something in Evan's ear, and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Why does my brother need to go? Can't you see he has the intelligence of an eight or nine-year-old? What do you expect to hear from him? If he misleads your investigation, we won't be responsible," Hugh said, turning to his mother, "Right, Mom?"

Hugh's mother could only agree, "Yes, that fever almost took Evan's life..." She sighed like a worried mother.

Hugh said, "Mom, you stay with him. I'll go with them and be back soon."

"Okay," Hugh's mother nodded and led Evan to his room.

"Let him come along. It's a shame to keep him cooped up inside every day. Don't worry, we won't do anything to him," Zoey said, leading the way out of Hugh's house.

Hugh and Evan followed behind.

"Why do you have to bring Evan? What can he understand?" Hugh was getting annoyed, but seeing the police's determination, he shouted to his mom, "Fine, bring him along! Let's get this over with, I have work to do."

"Alright." Hugh's mother quickly grabbed a jacket for Evan and let him follow.

Alexander led the way.

Hugh and the others followed behind.

Willowbrook Village wasn't big, and the church was centrally located, so they arrived quickly.

Robert was in a small room next to the church's main hall, interrogating Chad. He told Alexander to wait in another room.

Hugh peeked into the small room, trying to see who was being interrogated.

But everything was blocked, and he couldn't see anything.

"You educated folks sure know how to talk. Am I not the first one? How long do I have to wait?" Hugh asked impatiently.

"We won't keep you from work," Jordan replied, even more impatient.

Hugh finally shut his mouth.

Zoey was curious about the interrogation. She tried to eavesdrop, but the door opened just as she approached.

Robert came out, his face burning with anger.

He turned to Dennis, who was holding a stranger, and instructed, "Take him out of Willowbrook Village and lock him up at the town police station!"

Zoey looked past Robert and saw Chad.

She had only heard about him from colleagues, thinking he was as disgusting as Hugh. But Chad was different.

He wasn't fat, but extremely thin.

His dark circles were intense, and his face looked like he was on drugs, lifeless and dull.

"Got it!" Dennis had been itching to rough up Chad.

He deliberately tightened his grip, making Chad yelp in pain.

Maybe it was the pain, or the silver handcuffs counting his sins, but Chad suddenly felt real fear.

Chad, who had been calm, suddenly panicked, "No... I can't be taken in... I have three kids at home. If they lose me, they'll lose their only family. I... can't be in trouble."

Charles, used to seeing people like this, scoffed, "Disgusting. Now you think of your kids? Why didn't you think of them when you were doing bad things? And what about the kids you hurt? Your kids will be better off without you. They won't have to take care of you anymore!"

Chad hung his head in shame.

Robert, seeing this, felt Chad didn't deserve to be called a father, and shouted, "Stop wasting time, take him away!"

"Yes!" Dennis tightened his grip again and led Chad away.

Robert then noticed Zoey and the others had returned, and asked, "Are they here?"